Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 2 Dec 1993

Vol. 436 No. 6

Written Answers. - Mental Handicap Services.

Pádraic McCormack

Ceist:

133 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Health if he will make a grant available to the Brothers of Charity, Woodlands, Renmore, Galway for the provision of a community-based service for children aged 6-13 with severe mental handicap; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that, over the past number of years, children have not been offered places at a centre (details supplied) in County Galway, and that a number of children are faced with the situation of not being provided with an ongoing day service; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Health (Mr. Howlin)

The Western Regional Mental Handicap Co-ordinating Committee, on which the Brothers of Charity were represented, recommended that the priority need for the additional funding provided in 1993 for the Western Health Board region was the strengthening of the funding base of the Galway County Association and the Western Care Association. In view of their local knowledge of needs I accepted their view.

The question of the provision of additional resources in 1994 for the development of services for people with a mental handicap is currently the subject of discussions in the context of the budgetary arrangements for 1994. Any additional funding which may be provided will be allocated having regard to whatever guidelines may be issued by my Department and the priority developments identified by the Regional Mental Handicap Co-ordinating Committee. If the service mentioned by the Deputy is given priority by the co-ordinating committee I would hope to be in a position to support it in 1994.